Cooler Master MasterCase 5 (Pro) review

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Final Words & Conclusion

Final Words & Conclusion

Cooler Master has put a lot of effort in the MasterCase concept. They will evangelize the product series as something very new and diverse. The reality remains that this is a chassis like many others with some new and improved features that can be found in competing products just as well. It is a unique product series though, let me explain why. First off, I am however interested to see how the concept will take off. I say this because Cooler Master is heading into a direction that is opposite of a trend, e.g. Cooler Master is planning that you need to build the chassis yourself like its lego with their own proprietary parts. However history has proven that people have a taste for chassis that are as easy as can be to use. You open the box and want everything in there. The first two products in the MasterCase series Cooler Master are sticking to that older trend as you can purchase a chassis that is easy to use and install with everything complete inside that box and bundle. So for now the concept certainly looks good. Two models have been released today, the MasterCase 5 and MasterCase Pro 5. Honestly, I am not sure if I want to recommend the default MasterCase 5 model to you, it feels like a chassis that is missing a top side in which you cannot even mount a LCS unit due to space limitations. The MasterCase 5 Pro SKU is what you really should be going for. That model comes with a see-through sidepanel (albeit it becomes fuzzy/clouded if you insert bright LEDs inside the chassis). Then there is the oh--so important liquid cooling radiator bracket and the top side cover that gives the MasterCase 5 the distinct looks and functionaly it needs. 

 

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Make no mistake, we feel that the Cooler Master MasterCase 5 (non Pro model) is a good product, but at 125~130 EURO it is an expensive one for what you get. We however feel that the MasterCase 5 Pro is the product you should be after. The MasterCase 5 Pro has pretty much everything you need or require. The airflow, the space (albeit limited to regular ATX motherboards, features like the SSD/HDD space, ease of use and USB 3.0 ports. Albeit we feel that 2x USB 3.0 is a tad on the shy side. Lacking however is an integrated fan controller and perhaps some sort of lighting solution. These missing items do make the product feel a little less special and a bit more normal compared to the competition.

Aesthetics

The looks then, hey I like the MasterCase 5 Pro model with its stealthy feel and finish, you can't argue taste as it is the most subjective thing and does not make the job of reviewer any easier. Some will dislike it, and others will love this chassis for its looks. Each and every little aspect of the chassis has been thought through really well. The design of the chassis has been made to make your life a little easier while combining the best features an enthusiast crowd seeks in a chassis. But yeah, this is a well thought through product with optimal cooling, dust filters, the handles, USB 3.0 integration and relatively tool free design. Here again the Pro model is the one to go for with the better looking top cover and see through side-panel.

Features

The internals are pretty decent as well, normal ATX form factor motherboards will fit, the more lengthy graphics card will fit as well. There's also nice space for liquid cooling on the front and top side with the Pro model, the drive bays can be removed, the nice motherboard cutout and there's just plenty of space left for cable routing through the grommet holes, all in that all-black painted interior. With the included fans you can create a enough airflow, but it would have been nice to see them tied to an integrated fan controller. With a chassis of this caliber it all comes down to aesthetics, your requirements and the price you are willing to cough up for a chassis. The suggested price tag is roughly 125 EURO for the MasterCase 5 and 150 EURO for the PRO 5 model, which is the one we will recommend. 

 

Guru3d-recommended

The Verdict

Concluding, Cooler Master has been hard at work with the MasterCase series. You'll have notice that this is the mid-range level product called MasterCase 5. We expect Cooler Master to release chassis from here on-wards in the Core i3 / i5 / i7 branding style TBH, thus at some point we expect a entry level or small form factor model MasterCase 3 series and on the opposing side, a MasterCase 7 series with the full-tower versions. This first series is a bit of a trial, and that trial is successful yet not perfect. The Pro model is a chassis that is well done and well thought through with a good concept behind it. The overall build quality is nice, with a truly terrific paint job I must say. The PSU compartment is fantastic but something we have seen other manufacturers do as well. The ease of use of the 5 series chassis terrific. That said, in this price range a fan controller or connector HUB to the motherboard CPU_FAN PWM certainly would have been nice, and perhaps a bit of default LED lighting system that you can expand on would have been cool as well. The 2x USB 3.0 ports are on the shy side. In the end the MasterCase 5 Pro is a chassis like many others with subtle differences. It however is a lovely chassis series that will be to the liking and taste of many. But yeah, the MasterCase series is a chassis like many others in terms of features and functionally. I would have loved to see Cooler Master excel in truly exclusive features like a fantastic RGB lighting system or something that sets the series a mile away from the competition. But in the end, aside from the looks, the chassis remains to be much like we have seen out there. It however is a nice concept and specifically the Pro model is something we can recommend very much as it does offer an excellent combination of features, requirements and comes with terrific looks. 

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